Journal seal and retainer therefor



y 1952 R. K. H. RUNKNAGEL 3,035,843

JOURNAL SEAL AND RETAINER THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1958 mum/H 4 INVENTOR.

/ Roz/- /f. 5 FUNK/W465;

May 22, 1962 R. K. H. RUNKNAGEL JOURNAL SEAL AND RETAINER THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1958 INVENTOR.

7/ Af A FUNKNAGfL United States Patent 3,035,843 JOURYAL SEAL AND RETAINER THEREFOR Rolf K. H. Runknagel, Northridge, Calif. (17000 Ventura Blvd., N0. 208, Enclno, Calif.) Filed Sept. 22, 1958, Ser. No. 762,642 8 Claims. (Cl. 277-130) This invention relates to a journal seal for a railroad car and is concerned in particular with the securement of a replaceable seal in working position over the journal of a railroad car axle at the inner end of the journal box and adjacent the wheel, it being a general object of this invention to provide a reliable inexpensive means for the sealing of existent journal boxes and to exclude foreign matter therefrom and which can be installed all with a minimum of effort.

The design and construction of railroad car truck assemblies is highly developed and in general is standardized throughout the railroad industry. The axle and wheels are built as units of constrution and are characterized by a pair of spaced wheels carried on a central axle, there being trunnions or journals concentric with and projecting from the ends of the axle outboard of the wheels. The railroad trucks are usually supported by two or more axle and wheel units and are characterized by side frames having a journal box at each wheel journal. The journals extend into the journal boxes to engage with the brasses or journal bearings and to engage with oil bearing waste or with suitable lubricators. The outer ends of the journal boxes are closed by covers while the inner ends of the boxes are provided with dust guards, heretofore in the form of a wooden panel that passes the journal, carried in slots that are characteristic of the journal box construction.

The usual journal box loosely receives a dust-guard and provides no positive leakproof engagement of the dust-guard with the inner end of the journal box. That is, ordinarily, there is no positive way to prevent dust, or the like, from by-passing the dust-guard. For example, a sealing member or dust-guard is merely loosely engaged in a slot.

The installation of a dust-guard seal without removal of the side frame can be accomplished by my journal seal construction as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,857,180, entitled Journal Seal, issued Oct. 21, 1958 but said patent has to do with the elimination of the dust-guard slot which is not always desirable and which requires a supplemental retainer to clamp the dust-guard, or seal, in working position. That is, the teaching of said patent requires modification of or rebuilding of the journal box housing, at the inner end portion thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide a journal seal for railroad cars that is replaceable and which is adapted to be received in the usual dust-guard slot. I have provided a single sealing member or dust-guard at the inner end of the journal box and adapted to be installed and/ or replaced. The journal seal that I provide is flexible so that it can be manipulated into working position, so that it will conform to the size of the parts to be sealed, and so that it aligns itself to both radial and axial variations or movements of the journal and journal box parts under operating conditions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a retainer for use in the dust-guard slot of a journal box of the character referred to and that secures the seal in proper working positions and properly aligned with the journal. The retainer that I provide is installed permanently in place in the dust-guard slot of the journal box construction and is carried over the journal and is operabe to releasably engage and clamp the seal or dustguard to hold it in working position.

The various objects and features of my invention will 3,035,843 Patented May 22, 1962 be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view taken through a typical journal box and illustrates a typical embodiment of the seal and retainer that I provide. FIG, 2 is a detailed sectional view taken as indicated by lines 22 on FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged -detailed-sec tional view of a portion of the seal shown in FIG. 2 and taken as indicated by lines 33 on FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 1 and shows the elements of the retainer positioned so that the sealing element can be removed and reinstalled. FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views of the two elements of the retainer, respectively, and which parts are carried in the slot at the inner end of the journal box, and FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 on FIG. 5, respectively.

The journal seal and retainer therefor of the present invention is intended for use in connection with railroad cars having the general construction above referred to, it being understood, however, that there are other machines involving journal constructions that may be provided with the structure of the present invention. In accordance with the usual railroad truck construction, there is a journal box Z carrier at each end of the axle and wheel unit. The exact details of construction may vary widely as circumstances require, the particular construction shown being for purpose of illustration only.

The axle and wheel unit of a typical railroad truck involves a central elongate axle (not shown), a pair of spaced wheels 11, and a pair of trunnions or journals 12 that project from the ends of the axle outboard of the wheels. The axle is a straight shaft-like part, the wheels 11 being carried on the hubs 13 or end portions thereof. A common journal construction is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings which may involve a turned dust seal seat 14, the journal 15 per sc, and a journal collar 16. The seat 14, journal 15, and collar 16, are turned concentric with the axle, the seat 14 extending outwardly from the hub 13 and joined with the hub through a suitable fillet. The journal 15 is turned down to be of considerably smaller diameter than the seat 14 and extends outwardly from the seat 14 and joins with the seat through a fillet 17. The fillet 17 is formed on a radius that is tangent to the surface of the journal 15 and substantially normal to the surface of the seat 14.

The journal collar 16 is carried at the terminal end of the journal 12 and projects radially to substantially the same diameter as the seat 14. The seat 14 is of suflicient axial extent to accommodate and engage with a sealing element while the journal 15 is substantially elongate and characterized by a smooth surface adapted to have bearing engagement with the journal box Z. The collar 16 is of an axial extent to afford necessary strength and rigidity. Under operating conditions, the journal 15 takes the radial thrust or supporting load while the fillet 17 and flange 16 take the axial thrust or side loads.-

The journal box Z is an elongate element that extends axially of the axle and rotatably receives the journal 12 and involves generally a housing 21, a brass or journal bearing 22, a bearing wedge 23, and a lubricator 24. The housing 21 has a top 25 that engages with the wedge 23 and has sides 26 that depend from the top establishing a chamber for receiving the journal 12. The bottom of the housing 21 is closed by a sump or reservoir 27 for containing oil or lubricant. Thus, an elongate chamber, substantially rectangular in cross-section is formed and is of a size in excess of the diameter of the journal 12 but only enough larger to accommodate the bearing 22, wedge 23, and lubricator 24.

The bearing 22 is removably carried in the housing 21 at the upper portion of the chamber therein and adjacent the top 25. The bearing 22 is primarily an elongate element arcuate in cross-section and having a downwardly faced bearing 28 turned concentric with the axis of the journal 15. The bearing face is preferably lined or babbitted. The bearing 22 has a flat upper face 29 and a shoulder 30 at the inner end thereof. The face 29 and shoulder 30 cooperate with the wedge 23 that retains the bearing 22 in working position. The inner end of the face 28 is rounded to fit the fillet 17 and the bearing is somewhat shorter in length than the distance between the fillet and flange 16. Thus, there is limited axial freedom of bearing 22 between fillet 17 and collar 16 at the ends of the journal 15.

The journal bearing wedge 23 is provided to retain the bearing 22 in working position and is an elongate part that is inserted into the housing 21 between the top 25 and the bearing 22. The wedge 23 is engaged over a shoulder 36' at the outer end of the housing and engages the shoulder 30 of the bearing to hold the bearing in working position.

The lubricator 24 may vary widely and may be simple waste material carried in the reservoir 27 and acts to absorb lubricant and apply it to the journal 15. The particular lubricator 24 illustrated, has a holder 31 for an absorbent pad 32 that is secured in operating position. The pad 32 contacts the surface of the journal 15 and applies the lubricant thereto.

The construction thus far described is a typical journal and journal box construction, the journal 12 being received in the chamber formed by the housing 21 to rotatably engage and be supported by the bearing 22. The bearing 22 is held in position by the key-like wedge 23 and the bearing is oiled by the lubricator 24. The outer end of the housing 21 is closed by a closure that shuts an opening provided for access to the parts carried within the housing. The said opening at the outer end of the housing is of adaquate size for removal and replacement of the elements 22, 23 and 24.

The housing 21 is characterized by an inner end wall 35 and slot 37 in a plane normal to the axis of the structure, there being an opening 36 in the wall 35 and adapted to pass the flange 16 of the journal with substantial clearance. Further, there is a wall 35 spaced inwardly from the wall 35 and parallel therewith and having an opening 36' aligned with the opening 36 and to pass the journal. The wall 35' isjoined to the wall 35 at the sides and bottom of the housing 21 by continuations 26' and 27' of the sides 26 and bottom 27, respectively, and forms the slot 37 that opens upwardly to receive the usual dust-guard elements.

The journal seal S herein disclosed is adapted to be installed in the slot 37 of the truck assembly of the railroad car. The seal S involves a body A, sealing rings B and/or B, and a means C yieldingly urging the rings B into pressure engagement with the part to be sealed against. The seal S engages over the journal 12 at the inner end of the journal housing and is secured against the wall 35 by a retainer R. The retainer R that I provide clamps and holds the seal S in the selected working position so that the sealing rings B surround and have sliding engagement with the seat 14 on the journal 12.

The body A, in accordance with the invention, is made of pliant flexible material, such for example, as rubber or the like, and involves a mounting flange 4% an extension 41, and a sealing hub 42. The flange 40 is held in clamped engagement with the wall 35 by the retainer R, hereinafter described, while the hub 42 is axially spaced from the flange 40 to surround the seat 14 and is carried by the extension 41 that projects from the flange 40. The flange 40 is. a flat element having inner and outer faces 44 and 45, respectively, the face 45 being adapted to engage flat against the inner face of the wall 35. A central opening 46 is provided in the flange 40 preferably of the same size or diameter as the openings 36 and 36 in the walls 35 and 35'. In accordance with the invention I provide one or more continuous ribs 47 at the peripheral portion of the flange 49, the ribs 47 being in a group extending parallel with each other and projecting forwardly from the face 45 to have sealing engagement with the wall 35, the ribs 47 being continuous along the sides, the top and bottom of the flange 40 and surrounding the opening 46 to have reliable sealing engagement when the seal S is clamped in position by the retainer R. The sealing hub 42 that carries the sealing rings B and B and the means C are fully described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,857,180.

The retainer R is an assembly of elements involving, generally, a clamp P, an operator 0, an actuating means M for actuating the clamp P into engagement with the seal S, and lock means L for securing the operator 0 in alternate engaged and disengaged positions. The clamp P is a rigid element that surrounds and encompasses the journal 12 when the clamp P is in working position in the slot 37. As best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the clamp P involves a plate 59, a protecting fender or ring 51 and a supporting flange 52. The plate 50 is preferably of the same transverse configuration as the wall 35 so as to overlie the wall 35 to be substantially coextensive therewith. A central opening 56 is provided in the plate 58 preferably of the same size and configuration as the openings 36 and 36. The outer wall 53 of the plate 56 is flat to engage with the inner face 44 of the flange 40 of the seal S. The flange 40 is free to move laterally of the plate 59 so that radial shifting of the seal S can occur independently of the positioning of the clamp P. In practice, the clamp P engages the flange 46 so that the ribs 47 are compressed when the wall 53 is brought into clamping position relative to the wall 35. It will be apparent that a tight seal is provided when the parts are brought into proper working position.

The protecting ring 51 joins with the plate 50 at the opening 56 and projects inwardly from the plate to overlie and protect the extension 41 of the seal S. Further, the plate 50 is preferably a relatively thin and light weight part, the ring 51 acting to reinforce the plate so that it remains flat and does not deflect or bend. The supporting flange 52 joins with the plate 55) at the upper end thereof and projects outwardly from the plate to overlie the upper end of the wall 35. The flange 52 has supporting engagement with the said upper end of the wall 35 so that the clamp P hangs in proper working position upon being dropped into the slot 37. As shown, the flange 52 is a straight flange that extends transversely of the housing 21.

The operator 0 is a frame-like element that is co operatively related to the clamp P and is adapted to be manipulated so that the clamp P is shifted between alternate engaged and disengaged positions. That is, the clamp P is either engaged with the flange 40 of the seal S or is retracted therefrom. The operator 0, as best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, involves a frame 69 preferably of the same transverse configuration as the clamp P and wall 35 and so as to overlie the inner side of the plate 50. In other words, the'frame 60 is shaped to conform with the transverse shape of the slot 37 and lies adjacent to the peripheral portion of the plate 50, said peripheral portion of the plate overlying the ribbed portion of the flange 40, that is the ribs 47.

The frame 60 is a rigid element that surrounds and encompasses the journal 12 when the operator 0 is in working position in the slot 37. As best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the frame 60 involves an elon gate part a curved bottom section 61 and straight parallel side sections 62 continuing upwardly from the bottom section and a straight top section 63 that joins the upper ends of the side sections. The elongate part that forms the frame 60 can be rectangular or square in cross-section,

and in practice can be varied in formation as desired. It is preferred that the frame 60 of the operator 0 have a flat outer face 65 to oppose the inner side or face of the clamp P.

In accordance with the invention, I provide the actuating means M for actuating the clamp P into position to engage and clamp the flange 40 in sealing engagement with the inner face of the wall 35. The means M relies upon relative movement between the clamp P and operator O and in its preferred form is a cam means involving one or more inclined cams 70 on one element and adapted to operate against portions of the other element in order to shift the two elements P and 0 relative to each other to spread them apart. I preferably employ a plurality of inclined cams 70 that project from the inner face of the plate 50 each of which is adapted to have sliding engagement with a cooperating face 71, or the like, formed in the opposing outer face 65 of the operator 0. In the particular form of the invention illustrated, there is a pair of laterally spaced cams 70 at the lower portion of the clamp plate 50 and engageable with corresponding faces 71 in the frame 60, there is a pair of cams 70 one at each side of the clamp plate 50 and engageable with corresponding faces 71 in the side section 62 of the flange 60, and there is a pair of laterally spaced cams 70 at the top of the clamp plate 50 and engageable with the edge (in this instance) of the top section 63 of the frame 60. The cams are downwardly and inwardly inclined and have flat engagement with the faces 71. In the case of the top cams 70 there is a line of engagement.

The lock means L is provided to secure the operator 0 in the two alternate positions, one position such as to allow for entry of the seal S into working position (see FIG. 4) and the other position such as to clamp the seal S in said working position (see FIG. 1). In the first mentioned position shown in FIG. 4 the operator 0 is supported in an elevated position with the faces 71 and top section 63 retracted from the cams 70. In the second mentioned position shown in FIG. 1 the operator 0 is manipulated, by suitable force, say for example with downward manual pressure, with the faces 71 and top section 63 advanced onto the cams 70. It will be apparent that downward movement of the operator 0 relative to the clamp P that is supported by the flange 53 causes outward movement of the clamp P to press against the seal S. As shown, the lock means L involves a fastener 75 that is engaged through suitable openings in the two elements P and O to position them relative to each other. In practice, there is a pair of vertically spaced openings 76 in the operator 0 and a single opening 77 in the clamp P, the fastener 75 being in the form of a cotter adapted to be selectively engaged through said openings.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple construction for retaining a seal in working position and particularly adapted to be used with the ordinary railroad car journal box having a dust-guard slot 37. In order to install or replace the seal the journal box is partially dismantled to, removing the lubricator and journal hearing or brass from the journal box, and the operator 0 is secured in the said elevated position. The fastener 75 is simply inserted into the lowermost opening 76. With the parts removed from the chamber within the journal box housing, and with the retainer R retracted from the flange 40 of the seal S, i

the worn seal S can be removed and a new seal S installed. In order to install a new seal S with the side frame removed, the flexible and pliant body A carrying the sealing rings B and B and other parts thereof can also be dropped into the slot 37 and the journal 12 moved axially through the openings 36 and 36' at the inner end of the journal box. Thus, it will be readily observed that it is a simple matter to pass the seal S over the journal 12 from the exterior of the housing 21 to the interior thereof and into working position, with or without the side frame removed, the openings in the seal S and also the retainer R passing the journal 12. With the seal S and retainer R in this position, the retainer R is operated by moving the operator 0 downwardly in order to spread the clamp P into engagement with the flange 40 of the seal S. The elements of the retainer R are so proportioned as to suitably compress the flange 40 and ribs 47 when the operator 0 is in a fully down position with the fastener 75 engaged in the lowermost opening 76, thereby compressing the flange 40 of the seal S tightly against the wall 35.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box, a seal having a body of pliant material surrounding the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, said seal being replaceable without removal of the journal box from said journal, and a retainer including a clamp plate surrounding the journal and coextensive with the flange and means to shift and position the clamp plate to engage with said flange.

2. In combination in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box, a seal having a body of pliant material surrounding the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, said seal being replaceable without removal of the journal box from said journal, and a retainer including, a clamp plate surrounding the journal and coextensive with the flange, a laterally shiftable manual operator, and means acting between the operator and the clamp plate to shift said plate and position it in engagement with said flange upon shifting of the operator.

3. In combination in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box, a seal having a body of pliant material surrounding the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, said seal being replaceable without removal of the journal box from said journal, and a retainer including, a clamp plate surrounding the journal and coextensive with the flange, a laterally shiftable manual operator, and cam means acting between the operator and the clamp plate to shift said plate and position it in engagement with said flange upon manipulation of the operator.

4. In combination in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one'end thereof and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box, a seal having a body of pliant material surrounding the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, said seal being replaceable without removal of the journal boxfrom said journal, and a retainer including, a clamp element surrounding the journal and coextensive with the flange, a laterally shiftable operator element, and means comprising a cam on one element and engaging the other element to shift the said clamp elment and position it in engagement with said flange.

5. A seal for use in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box and including, a body of pliant material to surround the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, said pliant body being slidably engageable over the journal without removal of the journal box therefrom.

6. A seal for use in a journal box' of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and with anaxially faced wall and a journal intersecting the slot to enter the journal box and including, a body of pliant material to surround the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, and ribs projecting from the flange to engage the Wall of the slot; said pliant body being slidably engageable over the journal Without removal of the journal boX therefrom.

7. A seal for use in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and a journal with a peripheral face and intersecting the slot to enter the journal box and including, a body of pliant material to surround the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to project into the slot surrounding the journal, and a hub With sealing means to engage the said periphery of the journal, said pliant body being slidablby engageable over the journal Without removal of the journal box therefrom.

8. A seal for use in a journal box of the character described and having a slot at one end thereof and with an axially faced Wall and a journal with a peripheral face and intersecting the slot to enter the journal box and including, a body of pliant material to surround the journal and with a freely deflectable laterally disposed flange to projectinto the slot surrounding the journal, ribs projecting from the flange to engage the Wall of the slot, and a hub with sealing means to engage the said periphery of the journal, said pliant body being slidably engageable over the journal Without removal of the journal box therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Armstrong et al Sept. 8, 1936 Theiss Feb. 22, 1938 Pattullo NOV. 8; 1949 

